Sounders FC 0, San Jose Earthquakes 1 — S.J. quotes

(On his team achieving four consecutive shutouts…) “I think the team is having the mentality of not conceding a goal. It runs through the team that we don’t want to get beat and we don’t want to get scored on. Seattle should have scored a goal, but they didn’t and I guess that is a little bit lady luck at the moment. We had a good team effort and strong character out there today.”

(On playing so consistent this season…) “We have worked since the preseason and we tried to do it last year, but didn’t have the horses to play the way I wanted to play. I feel we have the right personnel to play the way I want us to play. We can tinker with it a little bit here and there, but everyone is buying into it. We are not going to be a pushover and not be scored on easily or give up silly goals. To get four clean sheets in a row is tough in this league.”

(On playing in a tough atmosphere at Qwest Field….) “It is a tough crowd and you maybe get a little anxious to play in front of 35,000 people. The Sounders will do well at home and score goals. The atmosphere is terrific and the players played well today. They did everything but the final touch.”

(On enjoying coming in and playing in front of a large crowd…) “We did today. Last season not so much. We have a good mentality on our team and it doesn’t matter where we go. We played well for 20 minutes and that was probably about it. We gave up a few offensive chances and made some mistakes on defense. [Steve] Zakuani probably should have scored in the first half. All in all, we got the three points and the win.”

Bobby Convey – Earthquakes Midfielder

(On being excited to play in front of a large crowd…) “First and foremost I think it’s unbelievable for soccer in the U.S. for what the ownership has done here. It is amazing to play in front of this many people. Every player no matter home or away takes the energy from the crowd. I think it helped us early on.”

(On the crowd affecting the players…) “If you get booed yeah, I think the people here are really supportive of their team. For me there is nothing wrong with the people here; they are enthusiastic about the game. The owner has really set a great standard for the rest of the MLS to follow.”

Joe Cannon – Earthquakes Goalkeeper

(On his team improved level of play this season…) “I think it is the blue collar collective outfit of the entire team. From a personal point of view, it’s more enjoyable this year because we are not result orientated more task orientated. This group is a lot easier to work with because of their attitudes. For the group they are just blue collar and for me all I can do is give my best. In years past I would try to carry the team on my shoulders, now we can play well as a team and compete.”

(On Seattle pressuring at the end to score…) “There were a couple of times that Seattle got close today. There was a ball that just missed the top corner by a few inches. If that goes in we are still the same team. We know we can go anywhere, this is probably the toughest place in the league to get a result.”